Minneapolis Car Accident Lawyer
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An individual can hire a Minneapolis personal injury lawyer after a car accident. In this scenario, the attorney can help their client pursue financial compensation from the party responsible for the accident. That way, the client can receive money for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages associated with their injury.
Milavetz Injury Law, P.A. provides quick, easy access to experienced Minneapolis car accident lawyers. Our team can review a car accident legal claim at any time. From here, we help our clients put their best foot forward in court. This ensures clients can receive hundreds, thousands, or millions of dollars from at-fault parties.
How dangerous are car accidents in Minneapolis?
Car accidents are significant problems in Minneapolis and other Minnesota cities and towns — consider the following 2020 statistics from state’s Department of Public Safety (DPS):
- 57,127 traffic crashes were reported. In these crashes, 394 people died, and 20,529 experienced injuries.
- 101,914 motor vehicles were involved in crashes. These crashes resulted in $1.6 billion in economic losses to Minnesota.
- 7,307 crashes were classified “hit-and-run.”
- 74% of all crashes involved a collision with a non-fixed object.
- 37% of crashes involved only one vehicle.
Minneapolis drivers must follow the rules of the road to limit the risk of car accidents. Yet even safe drivers can get hit by other motorists. In these instances, fatal accidents can occur that affect everyone involved.
Pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists in Minnesota can also be involved in car accidents. They can experience injuries due to these accidents. And they may even suffer wrongful deaths that impact their loved ones long into the future.
The bottom line: car accidents can be dangerous, regardless of when and where they occur. In a car accident that causes an injury, the at-fault driver must be held accountable. A car accident victim can file a personal injury lawsuit at this point.
Dangerous Intersections or Roadways in Minneapolis
Here are some of the most dangerous intersections and roadways in Minneapolis:
- East 26th Street and MN 55: This intersection marks the first light when drivers exit the freeway. As such, many rear-end collisions and other car accidents occur here.
- Lake Street West and Lyndale Avenue: A lot of traffic runs through this intersection, which makes it a tough spot for pedestrians to navigate safely.
- US Highway 12: This may be Minneapolis’ most dangerous highway due to its narrow lanes and inadequate lighting.
Minneapolis drivers should take precautions any time they get behind the wheel. No matter where they travel, drivers must keep a close eye out for other motorists and pedestrians.
If a Minneapolis driver throws caution to the wind, this individual endangers others. And if the driver causes an accident that injures others, this individual can be penalized. The driver can face criminal charges for their actions. In addition, the driver can face personal injury lawsuits.
Do not wait to file a personal injury lawsuit against an at-fault driver in Minneapolis. Learn about Minneapolis car accident laws, and an individual is well-equipped to get the best results from their personal injury claim.
Relevant Minneapolis Car Accident Laws
Here are regulations surrounding Minneapolis personal injury and car accident claims:
- A victim can file a lawsuit against the personal injury protection in their car insurance policies. This applies if the victim is partially or not at fault for their accident.
- To receive compensation in a car accident lawsuit, a victim must have at least $4,000 in medical bills or suffer a disability or permanent injury or disfigurement that lasted at least 60 days.
- Minnesota has a comparative fault law that states car accident victims can pursue a lawsuit against anyone less at fault than they were. Conversely, a victim cannot seek compensation if this individual is primarily at fault for their accident.
- If a victim pursues compensation from an at-fault party in a Minneapolis car accident lawsuit, their award can be reduced based on the percentage of fault. For example, if a judge or jury finds a victim is 30% at fault for a car accident, the settlement value will be reduced by 30%.
A personal injury attorney can help a car accident victim throughout their case proceedings. The lawyer will work on behalf of their client to prove liability in the car accident case.
Proving Liability in a Minneapolis Car Accident Case
The following elements must be present to prove liability in a Minneapolis car accident case:
- There is an expectation of reasonable care and duty and failure to exercise it. For example, a motorist must comply with safe driving laws. If the driver ignored specific rules and caused an accident, this individual did not practice reasonable care.
- The at-fault party’s failure to exercise reasonable care led to an accident and injury. Thus, the party is responsible for the accident and injury.
- The victim experienced actual damages. Proving this requires a victim to confirm that the accident and injury resulted in pain, suffering, income losses, or other damages.
Several parties may be at fault in a car accident case. There can be times when a driver causes an accident. Or, there can be instances when car manufacturers, auto body repair shops, or other parties are responsible.
Milavetz Law takes the guesswork out of Minneapolis car accident laws. We can review a car accident claim and determine who may be responsible. Next, we can help our client file a lawsuit against one or more at-fault parties.
Sharing Responsibility for a Minneapolis Car Accident
There can be instances when a personal injury victim and an at-fault party share responsibility for a car accident. A judge or jury determines if shared responsibility applies.
If a car accident victim is found less than 50% responsible for the incident, this individual will lose half their potential reward. First, a judge or jury determines if the victim shares responsibility with another party. If the answer is yes, the victim’s compensation is lowered by the same percentage proportionately to their percentage of fault.
Milavetz Law wants our clients to maximize their car accident case compensation. We work diligently to secure our clients’ claims and build strong cases. In doing so, we can frequently show that an at-fault party should be held fully responsible for a victim’s car accident injury.
Adhering to Minneapolis Traffic Laws
Here are some of the traffic laws that every Minneapolis driver needs to follow to avoid car accidents:
- No Texting and Driving: It is illegal to hold a cell phone while driving.
- Seat Belts Are A Must: All motor vehicle drivers and passengers must wear a seat belt at all times.
- Don’t Speed: A driver who travels over 100 miles per hour can have their driver’s license revoked for at least six months.
Minneapolis’ traffic laws are non-negotiable. Follow these laws, and drivers can protect themselves and others against accidents and associated injuries and fatalities.
Statute of Limitations to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Minneapolis
There is a six-year statute of limitations to serve a car accident lawsuit in Minnesota. Therefore, a victim has six years from the date of their car accident to file a legal claim against an at-fault party. Statutes of limitations can vary based on the type of case, so you should consult with an attorney to ask which statute of limitations applies to your claim.
What damages can I receive after a Minneapolis car accident?
Minneapolis car accident victims may be entitled to any of the following damages:
- Economic: Compensation awarded for objective monetary losses (such as medical bills or loss of earnings).
- Non-Economic: Compensation awarded for subjective and non-monetary losses (emotional distress or psychological trauma).
- Punitive: Damages awarded to deter future reckless, irresponsible, or negligent behaviors.
A judge or jury will review a car accident case in detail, assessing all of the above. Then, a car accident victim may receive one or more of the following damages.
There are no limitations on the amount of damages that car accident victims can receive. The personal injury attorneys at Milavetz Law can help a car accident victim determine how much damages to pursue.
Minnesota Insurance Requirements for Drivers
In Minnesota, all drivers must carry no-fault and liability insurance on their vehicles. Drivers must be able to provide valid proof of insurance at all times, lest they lose their license and registration.
Contributing Factors to Serious or Deadly Accidents in Minneapolis
Minnesota’s DPS named the following as the biggest factors in traffic fatalities in 2020:
- Speed: Driver speeding was the most frequent behavior attributed to traffic crashes, causing 122 deaths in 2020.
- Unbuckled Motorists: DPS found 105 deaths linked to motorists who did not wear a seat belt.
- Drunk Driving: Intoxicated drivers accounted for 79 deaths.
- Distractions: Distracted drivers were responsible for 32 deaths.
Dangerous Driving Conditions in Minneapolis
Some of the most prominent dangerous driving conditions in Minneapolis include:
- Two-Way, Two-Lane Roads: Create a high risk of head-on collisions and unsafe and illegal passing.
- Poor Lighting: It makes it tough to see motorists and pedestrians.
- Ice, Snow, and Other Winter Weather Conditions: Result in slick, hazardous roads.
Tips for Driver Safety in Minneapolis
- Maintain a Safe Following Distance. Practice the “3-second rule” for the following distance.
- Avoid Cruising in the Left Lane. Use the left lane only to pass other drivers.
- Use Directionals. Signal other motorists and pedestrians when turning.
- Eliminate Distractions. Turn off a cell phone and do not use it when driving.
What should I do after a car accident?
Why should I hire the personal injury attorneys at Milavetz Law to help me after a car accident in Minneapolis?
The Milavetz Law team puts our clients’ needs front and center. We want car accident victims to receive fair compensation. And our clients often rave about our commitment to delivering outstanding results.
To date, we have matched or exceeded our clients’ expectations. Some of our most significant car accident case success stories include:
- A $90,000 settlement for a pedestrian struck in a crosswalk
- Approximately $102,000 recovered by a severely injured accident victim
- A $400,000 settlement for an 80-year-old woman dealing with rib and leg injuries
We are available to help individuals pursue car accident claims. For more information or to request a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 763-560-0000.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) After a Minneapolis Car Accident
There is no need to stress following a Minneapolis car accident. Below are answers to a few of the most common questions people face after car accidents in Minneapolis. You can find additional questions and answers on our Car Accident FAQ.
An insurance company may reach out to you shortly after your car accident. The company may encourage you to accept a settlement. But doing so can be problematic.
If an insurance company contacts you, listen to what the business offers. However, do not make any rash decisions. Instead, follow up with a car accident attorney who can help you determine if now is the right time to move forward with a lawsuit.
It is illegal to operate a car on public roads in Minnesota without insurance. If a driver causes an accident and does not have insurance, you should notify authorities. File a police report and contact a personal injury attorney in this instance. This action enables the driver to be held legally responsible for their actions. It also helps you compensate for any injuries you suffered during the accident.
Cost is an essential factor to consider when hiring a car accident lawyer. Attorney fees vary. Some lawyers charge an hourly rate and require clients to pay a retainer.
Comparatively, lawyers may use a contingency fee agreement that stipulates a client is not required to pay them unless their case is successful.
Learn as much as possible about a car accident lawyer’s fees; this will help you make an informed decision on which attorney to hire.
There is a six-year statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits in Minnesota. If a family member died in a car accident, you have six years from the incident date to pursue compensation from an at-fault party.
You can file a lawsuit against this party to get compensation for damages that occurred due to your family member’s death.
There have been instances in which drivers have left Minnesota in the hopes of avoiding car accident lawsuits. The statute of limitations to file a legal claim gets extended in these instances. To understand how this works, let’s look at an example.
A driver causes a car accident that results in a pedestrian injury. The pedestrian discovers the driver responsible for the accident has moved out of state two months after the incident. In that case, the two-year statute of limitations relating to car accident lawsuits is paused. Once the driver returns to the state, the statute of limitations resumes.
At this time, the accident victim has 22 months to file their personal injury lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. Nevertheless, building a strong case takes time; consider contacting our firm ASAP to arrange a free evaluation of your Minnesota car accident case.
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Practice Areas
Minneapolis Office Location
305 North 5th Avenue, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 339-0140
